A while back I had a convoluted plan to use trackers designed for
iphones to find ou where my lost luggage was.

Well now they have it for Android too, iiuc.

https://www.tile.com/

Apparently they've had it for a while, even though no one mentioned it
during the previous thread here, because it says:

Last year, Tiles found...
1.45M
Sets of keys
817K
Wallets
55K
Pieces of luggage
18
Pet turtles

they're offering 10 or 25% off, but even so, they're not cheap.
https://www.tile.com/products/deals

I wish I'd had this last Friday when my suitcase had to go from
Guatemala City to Ft. Lauderdale to Baltimore. Fortunately, it did.

Are these as good as the ones that only work with iPnones?

micky wrote:

> A while back I had a convoluted plan to use trackers designed for
> iphones to find ou where my lost luggage was.
> Well now they have it for Android too, iiuc.

AirTags are an example of where the iThing monoculture works in their
favour, apple can build the tracing app into every phone, so there is a
huge network of tracking devices watching/reporting the tags ...

Whereas you buy a Tile, how many people have got that app on their
phone? How likely is your lost suitcase to be near one of those people?

On 2024-02-01 00:11, micky wrote:
> A while back I had a convoluted plan to use trackers designed for
> iphones to find ou where my lost luggage was.
>
> Well now they have it for Android too, iiuc.
>
> https://www.tile.com/
>
> Apparently they've had it for a while, even though no one mentioned it
> during the previous thread here, because it says:

I mentioned it here, I used one last August.

> Are these as good as the ones that only work with iPnones?

It depends of how many Android phones running the app happen to be near
your suitcase.

There is another type of new gadgets that should work with both iphones
and androids, but they were not sold yet when I bought mine. I don't
remember the name now and I'm about to go to bed, I'm tired. Tomorrow.
Or find the thread where I mentioned it :-)

--
Cheers, Carlos.

In comp.mobile.android, on Thu, 1 Feb 2024 02:27:54 +0100, "Carlos E.R."
<robin_listas@es.invalid> wrote:

>On 2024-02-01 00:11, micky wrote:
>> A while back I had a convoluted plan to use trackers designed for
>> iphones to find ou where my lost luggage was.
>>
>> Well now they have it for Android too, iiuc.
>>
>> https://www.tile.com/
>>
>> Apparently they've had it for a while, even though no one mentioned it
>> during the previous thread here, because it says:
>
>I mentioned it here, I used one last August.
>
>> Are these as good as the ones that only work with iPnones?
>
>It depends of how many Android phones running the app happen to be near
>your suitcase.

What Andy also said.

>There is another type of new gadgets that should work with both iphones
>and androids, but they were not sold yet when I bought mine. I don't

So the Android users can let the fully-equipped iphone users find their
suitcase for them? That sounds fair.

>remember the name now and I'm about to go to bed, I'm tired. Tomorrow.

Okay.

>Or find the thread where I mentioned it :-)

I'm sleepy too.

On 2024-02-01 03:13, micky wrote:
> In comp.mobile.android, on Thu, 1 Feb 2024 02:27:54 +0100, "Carlos E.R."
> <robin_listas@es.invalid> wrote:
>
>> On 2024-02-01 00:11, micky wrote:
>>> A while back I had a convoluted plan to use trackers designed for
>>> iphones to find ou where my lost luggage was.
>>>
>>> Well now they have it for Android too, iiuc.
>>>
>>> https://www.tile.com/
>>>
>>> Apparently they've had it for a while, even though no one mentioned it
>>> during the previous thread here, because it says:
>>
>> I mentioned it here, I used one last August.
>>
>>> Are these as good as the ones that only work with iPnones?
>>
>> It depends of how many Android phones running the app happen to be near
>> your suitcase.
>
> What Andy also said.
>
>> There is another type of new gadgets that should work with both iphones
>> and androids, but they were not sold yet when I bought mine. I don't
>
> So the Android users can let the fully-equipped iphone users find their
> suitcase for them? That sounds fair.

Also Android users that do not have a location app installed. Works by
default.

>
>> remember the name now and I'm about to go to bed, I'm tired. Tomorrow.
>
> Okay.
>
>> Or find the thread where I mentioned it :-)
>
> I'm sleepy too.

I have to search on the laptop, I don't see it in my sent messages from
this computer. [...] The thread is "Re: Deep thoughts: Airtags for
Android" on last October, but I don't have it complete here. I will post
the info in a moment from the laptop.

--
Cheers, Carlos.

On 2024-02-01 14:32, Carlos E.R. wrote:
> On 2024-02-01 03:13, micky wrote:
>> In comp.mobile.android, on Thu, 1 Feb 2024 02:27:54 +0100, "Carlos E.R."
>> <robin_listas@es.invalid> wrote:
>>
>>> On 2024-02-01 00:11, micky wrote:
>>>> A while back I had a convoluted plan to use trackers designed for
>>>> iphones to find ou where my lost luggage was.
>>>>
>>>> Well now they have it for Android too, iiuc.
>>>>
>>>> https://www.tile.com/
>>>>
>>>> Apparently they've had it for a while, even though no one mentioned it
>>>> during the previous thread here, because it says:
>>>
>>> I mentioned it here, I used one last August.
>>>
>>>> Are these as good as the ones that only work with iPnones?
>>>
>>> It depends of how many Android phones running the app happen to be near
>>> your suitcase.
>>
>> What Andy also said.
>>
>>> There is another type of new gadgets that should work with both iphones
>>> and androids, but they were not sold yet when I bought mine. I don't
>>
>> So the Android users can let the fully-equipped iphone users find their
>> suitcase for them?   That sounds fair.
>
> Also Android users that do not have a location app installed. Works by
> default.
>
>>
>>> remember the name now and I'm about to go to bed, I'm tired. Tomorrow.
>>
>> Okay.
>>
>>> Or find the thread where I mentioned it :-)
>>
>> I'm sleepy too.
>
> I have to search on the laptop, I don't see it in my sent messages from
> this computer. [...] The thread is "Re: Deep thoughts: Airtags for
> Android" on last October, but I don't have it complete here. I will post
> the info in a moment from the laptop.

This is a repost from the other thread:

+++··························
>
> The advantage of the Apple Airtags, at least in the U.S., is that iPhones are pervasive so the chance of someone with an iPhone (where no app is required) passing within receiving distance of a transmitting Airtag is much greater than the chance of someone that has installed the Tile app, whether on an iPhone or an Android device, passing close enough to a Tile tag. What's needed is a "Google Tag" with the capability being part of stock Android, not an app that needs to be installed.

There are Google Tags, and they have an agreement with Apple, so that
Apple devices will detect them, and Google phones will detect Apple tags
(without any app on both phones worlds). That is done, but at the time I
needed one this summer they were still not sold to the public.

<https://www.tile.com/blog/does-airtag-work-with-android>

<https://www.androidauthority.com/apple-airtags-alternatives-1222793/>

<https://www.lavanguardia.com/andro4all/compras/apple-airtag-alternativa-android>

and:

<https://www.independent.co.uk/extras/indybest/gadgets-tech/chipolo-tracker-google-find-airtag-b2336981.html>

I don't have a link to the agreement news recently.

> Apple would never enable full-functionality of Airtags for Android, even though it would help them sell more Airtags, for the same reason that they will not allow iMessage on Android.

But an agreement benefits them in areas where there are many more
Androids than iPhones. So, there is an agreement.
··························++-

--
Cheers,
Carlos E.R.

On 2024-02-01 14:36, Carlos E. R. wrote:
> On 2024-02-01 14:32, Carlos E.R. wrote:
>> On 2024-02-01 03:13, micky wrote:
>>> In comp.mobile.android, on Thu, 1 Feb 2024 02:27:54 +0100, "Carlos E.R."
>>> <robin_listas@es.invalid> wrote:

....

> This is a repost from the other thread:
>
> +++··························
> >
>> The advantage of the Apple Airtags, at least in the U.S., is that
>> iPhones are pervasive so the chance of someone with an iPhone (where
>> no app is required) passing within receiving distance of a
>> transmitting Airtag is much greater than the chance of someone that
>> has installed the Tile app, whether on an iPhone or an Android device,
>> passing close enough to a Tile tag. What's needed is a "Google Tag"
>> with the capability being part of stock Android, not an app that needs
>> to be installed.
>
>
>
> There are Google Tags, and they have an agreement with Apple, so that
> Apple devices will detect them, and Google phones will detect Apple tags
> (without any app on both phones worlds). That is done, but at the time I
> needed one this summer they were still not sold to the public.
>
> <https://www.tile.com/blog/does-airtag-work-with-android>
>
> <https://www.androidauthority.com/apple-airtags-alternatives-1222793/>
>
> <https://www.lavanguardia.com/andro4all/compras/apple-airtag-alternativa-android>
>
> and:
>
> <https://www.independent.co.uk/extras/indybest/gadgets-tech/chipolo-tracker-google-find-airtag-b2336981.html>
>
>
> I don't have a link to the agreement news recently.
>
>
>
>> Apple would never enable full-functionality of Airtags for Android,
>> even though it would help them sell more Airtags, for the same reason
>> that they will not allow iMessage on Android.
>
>
>
> But an agreement benefits them in areas where there are many more
> Androids than iPhones. So, there is an agreement.
> ··························++-

It is possibly this one:

https://www.amazon.es/dp/B0832YDBDW/

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0832YDBDW/

--
Cheers, Carlos.

In comp.mobile.android, on Thu, 1 Feb 2024 14:44:01 +0100, "Carlos E.R."
<robin_listas@es.invalid> wrote:

>On 2024-02-01 14:36, Carlos E. R. wrote:
>> On 2024-02-01 14:32, Carlos E.R. wrote:
>>> On 2024-02-01 03:13, micky wrote:
>>>> In comp.mobile.android, on Thu, 1 Feb 2024 02:27:54 +0100, "Carlos E.R."
>>>> <robin_listas@es.invalid> wrote:
>
>...
>
>> This is a repost from the other thread:
>>
>> +++··························
>> >
>>> The advantage of the Apple Airtags, at least in the U.S., is that
>>> iPhones are pervasive so the chance of someone with an iPhone (where
>>> no app is required) passing within receiving distance of a
>>> transmitting Airtag is much greater than the chance of someone that
>>> has installed the Tile app, whether on an iPhone or an Android device,
>>> passing close enough to a Tile tag. What's needed is a "Google Tag"
>>> with the capability being part of stock Android, not an app that needs
>>> to be installed.
>>
>>
>>
>> There are Google Tags, and they have an agreement with Apple, so that
>> Apple devices will detect them, and Google phones will detect Apple tags
>> (without any app on both phones worlds). That is done, but at the time I
>> needed one this summer they were still not sold to the public.
>>
>> <https://www.tile.com/blog/does-airtag-work-with-android>
>>
>> <https://www.androidauthority.com/apple-airtags-alternatives-1222793/>
>>
>> <https://www.lavanguardia.com/andro4all/compras/apple-airtag-alternativa-android>
>>
>> and:
>>
>> <https://www.independent.co.uk/extras/indybest/gadgets-tech/chipolo-tracker-google-find-airtag-b2336981.html>
>>
>>
>> I don't have a link to the agreement news recently.
>>
>>
>>
>>> Apple would never enable full-functionality of Airtags for Android,
>>> even though it would help them sell more Airtags, for the same reason
>>> that they will not allow iMessage on Android.
>>
>>
>>
>> But an agreement benefits them in areas where there are many more
>> Androids than iPhones. So, there is an agreement.
>> ··························++-
>
>It is possibly this one:
>
>https://www.amazon.es/dp/B0832YDBDW/

I took its name and found it for sale in Amazon USA too, for android and
iphone,
https://www.amazon.com/Chipolo-ONE-Loudest-Resistant-Bluetooth/dp/B0832Y5DD2/ref=sr_1_3

but they also still sell the same thing labeled iphone only:
https://www.amazon.com/Chipolo-ONE-Spot-1Pack-Compatible/dp/B09C89S7WG/ref=sr_1_5

I guess it would not make that much difference, since all the iphones
have the app and so few android ones do.

OTOH, if you bought a combo android/iphone, YOU could have the app and
you could look for your own stuff, maybe not a suitcase at an airport
but something lost in your own house where no one else would be looking.
So better to buy the combo version, which in the US has a 4 for the
pirce of three version:
https://www.amazon.com/Chipolo-ONE-Loudest-Resistant-Bluetooth/dp/B085S3YC46/ref=sr_1_3

>
>https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0832YDBDW/
Oh, you'd already found me the USA version. Thank you.

I think these are cheaper than some of the airtags too. I have to go
look again at why there were so many models at different prices.

Did I mention why I'm so interested. At the Guatamala airport, I was
watching them unload the luggage, until I finally saw mine, and the
stewardess had to ask if I wanted to leave. Everyone was off the plane.
Then the hall was so long with no place to sit, so I sat on the floor to
rest. Two older women in wheelchairs saw that and decided to get me a
wheelchair. That took a few minutes. Then I didn't see the only word I
knew for luggage, equipaje, and after the wheel chair I ended up at
customs, but customs for people *leaving Guatemala. Someone kindly
walked me most of the way back to *arriving*, and I found the luggage
carousels, and there was no one there, no luggage, and no office. I
found two guys with low-level uniforms who couldn't answer my first-day
Spanish question, Donde esta mi equipaje?, and finally found a man with
a better uniform who said to go to the 3rd floor. He didn't say the
luggage would be there. So during that time I thought about what it
would be like if I had no luggage, only my shoulder bag with only my
laptop. And I thought about airtags. But the suitcase was there.

Then at the car rental I found that I had lost my phone. How coud that
be? I rushed back to the only place I'd been, the lost luggage office,
and after knocking on the door, he said he didn't have it. So I headed
for the ticket counter, but the guy who had said he didn't have it had
found me and he did have it.

The luggage claim check was sticky on one side, so in Florida, I had
stuck it to my phone, and when I asked for the suitcase, I had handed
him the claim check with the phone attached, and I was so happy to get
the suitcase, I didn't notice when he didn't give back the phone.

(I had a spare phone in the suitcase. It wasn't as nice and wasn't
fully loaded but I had preinstalled the google map of Guatemala.

Maybe I *should* get a Chipolo.

In comp.mobile.android, on Thu, 1 Feb 2024 14:44:01 +0100, "Carlos E.R."
<robin_listas@es.invalid> wrote:

>
>> <https://www.tile.com/blog/does-airtag-work-with-android>
>>
>> <https://www.androidauthority.com/apple-airtags-alternatives-1222793/>
>>
>> <https://www.lavanguardia.com/andro4all/compras/apple-airtag-alternativa-android>
>>
Reading your links I see that airtags only go back to April 2022.

>> and:
>>
>> <https://www.independent.co.uk/extras/indybest/gadgets-tech/chipolo-tracker-google-find-airtag-b2336981.html>

And chipolos only go back to May 2023. So I don't feel so ignorant
anymore. It only took me a year and a half to learn about such things.
For me, that's good.

>> I don't have a link to the agreement news recently.
>
>>> Apple would never enable full-functionality of Airtags for Android,
>>> even though it would help them sell more Airtags, for the same reason
>>> that they will not allow iMessage on Android.
>>
>>
>>
>> But an agreement benefits them in areas where there are many more
>> Androids than iPhones. So, there is an agreement.
>> ··························++-
>
>It is possibly this one:
>
>https://www.amazon.es/dp/B0832YDBDW/
>
>https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0832YDBDW/
>
>--
>Cheers, Carlos.

On 2024-02-01 16:51, micky wrote:
> In comp.mobile.android, on Thu, 1 Feb 2024 14:44:01 +0100, "Carlos E.R."
> <robin_listas@es.invalid> wrote:
>
>> On 2024-02-01 14:36, Carlos E. R. wrote:
>>> On 2024-02-01 14:32, Carlos E.R. wrote:
>>>> On 2024-02-01 03:13, micky wrote:
>>>>> In comp.mobile.android, on Thu, 1 Feb 2024 02:27:54 +0100, "Carlos E.R."
>>>>> <robin_listas@es.invalid> wrote:
>>
>> ...
>>
>>> This is a repost from the other thread:
>>>
>>> +++··························
>>> >
>>>> The advantage of the Apple Airtags, at least in the U.S., is that
>>>> iPhones are pervasive so the chance of someone with an iPhone (where
>>>> no app is required) passing within receiving distance of a
>>>> transmitting Airtag is much greater than the chance of someone that
>>>> has installed the Tile app, whether on an iPhone or an Android device,
>>>> passing close enough to a Tile tag. What's needed is a "Google Tag"
>>>> with the capability being part of stock Android, not an app that needs
>>>> to be installed.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> There are Google Tags, and they have an agreement with Apple, so that
>>> Apple devices will detect them, and Google phones will detect Apple tags
>>> (without any app on both phones worlds). That is done, but at the time I
>>> needed one this summer they were still not sold to the public.
>>>
>>> <https://www.tile.com/blog/does-airtag-work-with-android>
>>>
>>> <https://www.androidauthority.com/apple-airtags-alternatives-1222793/>
>>>
>>> <https://www.lavanguardia.com/andro4all/compras/apple-airtag-alternativa-android>
>>>
>>> and:
>>>
>>> <https://www.independent.co.uk/extras/indybest/gadgets-tech/chipolo-tracker-google-find-airtag-b2336981.html>
>>>
>>>
>>> I don't have a link to the agreement news recently.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>> Apple would never enable full-functionality of Airtags for Android,
>>>> even though it would help them sell more Airtags, for the same reason
>>>> that they will not allow iMessage on Android.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> But an agreement benefits them in areas where there are many more
>>> Androids than iPhones. So, there is an agreement.
>>> ··························++-
>>
>> It is possibly this one:
>>
>> https://www.amazon.es/dp/B0832YDBDW/
>
> I took its name and found it for sale in Amazon USA too, for android and
> iphone,
> https://www.amazon.com/Chipolo-ONE-Loudest-Resistant-Bluetooth/dp/B0832Y5DD2/ref=sr_1_3
>
> but they also still sell the same thing labeled iphone only:
> https://www.amazon.com/Chipolo-ONE-Spot-1Pack-Compatible/dp/B09C89S7WG/ref=sr_1_5
>
> I guess it would not make that much difference, since all the iphones
> have the app and so few android ones do.

The Android app is not needed for this tag type, if the Android version
is recent (13 or 14, I think). Same as on iPhones.

>
> OTOH, if you bought a combo android/iphone, YOU could have the app and
> you could look for your own stuff, maybe not a suitcase at an airport
> but something lost in your own house where no one else would be looking.
> So better to buy the combo version, which in the US has a 4 for the
> pirce of three version:
> https://www.amazon.com/Chipolo-ONE-Loudest-Resistant-Bluetooth/dp/B085S3YC46/ref=sr_1_3
>
>>
>> https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0832YDBDW/
> Oh, you'd already found me the USA version. Thank you.

Yes, it is easy. Just search for the code "B0832YDBDW" and you can
locate any product on any localized Amazon site. You just have to beware
of the questions about Amazon shipping to this country and ignore it.

>
> I think these are cheaper than some of the airtags too. I have to go
> look again at why there were so many models at different prices.
>
>
> Did I mention why I'm so interested. At the Guatamala airport, I was
> watching them unload the luggage, until I finally saw mine, and the
> stewardess had to ask if I wanted to leave. Everyone was off the plane.
> Then the hall was so long with no place to sit, so I sat on the floor to
> rest. Two older women in wheelchairs saw that and decided to get me a
> wheelchair. That took a few minutes. Then I didn't see the only word I
> knew for luggage, equipaje, and after the wheel chair I ended up at
> customs, but customs for people *leaving Guatemala. Someone kindly
> walked me most of the way back to *arriving*, and I found the luggage
> carousels, and there was no one there, no luggage, and no office. I
> found two guys with low-level uniforms who couldn't answer my first-day
> Spanish question, Donde esta mi equipaje?, and finally found a man with
> a better uniform who said to go to the 3rd floor. He didn't say the
> luggage would be there. So during that time I thought about what it
> would be like if I had no luggage, only my shoulder bag with only my
> laptop. And I thought about airtags. But the suitcase was there.
>
> Then at the car rental I found that I had lost my phone. How coud that
> be? I rushed back to the only place I'd been, the lost luggage office,
> and after knocking on the door, he said he didn't have it. So I headed
> for the ticket counter, but the guy who had said he didn't have it had
> found me and he did have it.

Phew!

> The luggage claim check was sticky on one side, so in Florida, I had
> stuck it to my phone, and when I asked for the suitcase, I had handed
> him the claim check with the phone attached, and I was so happy to get
> the suitcase, I didn't notice when he didn't give back the phone.

Shit happens. I know.
I have done those things. They increase with age :-}

>
> (I had a spare phone in the suitcase. It wasn't as nice and wasn't
> fully loaded but I had preinstalled the google map of Guatemala.
>
> Maybe I *should* get a Chipolo.

It is not fast locating. I tested the Tile here in my city, leaving the
thing in my car (with my phone with BT disabled or left at home) and it
took a day till the Tile appeared.

I have the hope the Chipolo is faster.

And I expect Tile to design tags using the new protocol that doesn't
need the app and works with both iPhones and Androids.

--
Cheers, Carlos.

In comp.mobile.android, on Thu, 1 Feb 2024 19:11:55 +0100, "Carlos E.R."
<robin_listas@es.invalid> wrote:

>
>> I guess it would not make that much difference, since all the iphones
>> have the app and so few android ones do.
>
>The Android app is not needed for this tag type, if the Android version
>is recent (13 or 14, I think). Same as on iPhones.

That's good. If you have an older phone, there is no app to simulate
the newer version of Android?
>
>>
>> OTOH, if you bought a combo android/iphone, YOU could have the app and
>> you could look for your own stuff, maybe not a suitcase at an airport
>> but something lost in your own house where no one else would be looking.
>> So better to buy the combo version, which in the US has a 4 for the
>> pirce of three version:
>> https://www.amazon.com/Chipolo-ONE-Loudest-Resistant-Bluetooth/dp/B085S3YC46/ref=sr_1_3
>>
>>>
>>> https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0832YDBDW/
>> Oh, you'd already found me the USA version. Thank you.
>
>Yes, it is easy. Just search for the code "B0832YDBDW" and you can
>locate any product on any localized Amazon site. You just have to beware
>of the questions about Amazon shipping to this country and ignore it.
>
>
>>
>> I think these are cheaper than some of the airtags too. I have to go
>> look again at why there were so many models at different prices.
>>
>>
>> Did I mention why I'm so interested. At the Guatamala airport, I was
>> watching them unload the luggage, until I finally saw mine, and the
>> stewardess had to ask if I wanted to leave. Everyone was off the plane.
>> Then the hall was so long with no place to sit, so I sat on the floor to
>> rest. Two older women in wheelchairs saw that and decided to get me a
>> wheelchair. That took a few minutes. Then I didn't see the only word I
>> knew for luggage, equipaje, and after the wheel chair I ended up at
>> customs, but customs for people *leaving Guatemala. Someone kindly
>> walked me most of the way back to *arriving*, and I found the luggage
>> carousels, and there was no one there, no luggage, and no office. I

And no sign that could have mentioned the 3rd floor.

>> found two guys with low-level uniforms who couldn't answer my first-day
>> Spanish question, Donde esta mi equipaje?, and finally found a man with
>> a better uniform who said to go to the 3rd floor. He didn't say the
>> luggage would be there. So during that time I thought about what it
>> would be like if I had no luggage, only my shoulder bag with only my
>> laptop. And I thought about airtags. But the suitcase was there.
>>
>> Then at the car rental I found that I had lost my phone. How coud that
>> be? I rushed back to the only place I'd been, the lost luggage office,
>> and after knocking on the door, he said he didn't have it. So I headed
>> for the ticket counter, but the guy who had said he didn't have it had
>> found me and he did have it.
>
>Phew!

No kidding. I was glad I was wearing a colored shirt, so he could spot
me.

>> The luggage claim check was sticky on one side, so in Florida, I had
>> stuck it to my phone, and when I asked for the suitcase, I had handed
>> him the claim check with the phone attached, and I was so happy to get
>> the suitcase, I didn't notice when he didn't give back the phone.
>
>Shit happens. I know.
>I have done those things. They increase with age :-}

If concentration wards off alzheimers, just driving in Guatamala traffic
has given me another 10 years.

>> (I had a spare phone in the suitcase. It wasn't as nice and wasn't
>> fully loaded but I had preinstalled the google map of Guatemala.
>>
>> Maybe I *should* get a Chipolo.
>
>
>It is not fast locating. I tested the Tile here in my city, leaving the
>thing in my car (with my phone with BT disabled or left at home) and it
>took a day till the Tile appeared.
>
>I have the hope the Chipolo is faster.

I think a day is pretty fast.

>And I expect Tile to design tags using the new protocol that doesn't
>need the app and works with both iPhones and Androids.

I'll wait a while. Until I'm about to go somewhere.

>--
>Cheers, Carlos.

On 2024-02-01 23:46, micky wrote:
> In comp.mobile.android, on Thu, 1 Feb 2024 19:11:55 +0100, "Carlos E.R."
> <robin_listas@es.invalid> wrote:
>
>>
>>> I guess it would not make that much difference, since all the iphones
>>> have the app and so few android ones do.
>>
>> The Android app is not needed for this tag type, if the Android version
>> is recent (13 or 14, I think). Same as on iPhones.
>
> That's good. If you have an older phone, there is no app to simulate
> the newer version of Android?

I don't know.

In order to be useful, we need almost every phone in the world to
support the service by default.

These gadgets connect to phones of anybody that passes by and ask them
to please upload their location to the database.

>> It is not fast locating. I tested the Tile here in my city, leaving the
>> thing in my car (with my phone with BT disabled or left at home) and it
>> took a day till the Tile appeared.
>>
>> I have the hope the Chipolo is faster.
>
> I think a day is pretty fast.

It failed to locate my luggage on the airport in Canada at all.

>> And I expect Tile to design tags using the new protocol that doesn't
>> need the app and works with both iPhones and Androids.
>
> I'll wait a while. Until I'm about to go somewhere.

I have it marked for purchase one of these days. I want to find out.

--
Cheers, Carlos.

In comp.mobile.android, on Fri, 2 Feb 2024 00:33:02 +0100, "Carlos E.R."
<robin_listas@es.invalid> wrote:

>On 2024-02-01 23:46, micky wrote:
>> In comp.mobile.android, on Thu, 1 Feb 2024 19:11:55 +0100, "Carlos E.R."
>> <robin_listas@es.invalid> wrote:
>>
>>>
>>>> I guess it would not make that much difference, since all the iphones
>>>> have the app and so few android ones do.
>>>
>>> The Android app is not needed for this tag type, if the Android version
>>> is recent (13 or 14, I think). Same as on iPhones.
>>
>> That's good. If you have an older phone, there is no app to simulate
>> the newer version of Android?
>
>I don't know.
>
>In order to be useful, we need almost every phone in the world to
>support the service by default.
>
>These gadgets connect to phones of anybody that passes by and ask them
>to please upload their location to the database.
>
>
>
>>> It is not fast locating. I tested the Tile here in my city, leaving the
>>> thing in my car (with my phone with BT disabled or left at home) and it
>>> took a day till the Tile appeared.
>>>
>>> I have the hope the Chipolo is faster.
>>
>> I think a day is pretty fast.
>
>It failed to locate my luggage on the airport in Canada at all.

"Not at all" is pretty slow.
>
>
>>> And I expect Tile to design tags using the new protocol that doesn't
>>> need the app and works with both iPhones and Androids.
>>
>> I'll wait a while. Until I'm about to go somewhere.
>
>I have it marked for purchase one of these days. I want to find out.

Good plan.

On Thu, 01 Feb 2024 10:51:41 -0500, micky <NONONOmisc07@fmguy.com>
wrote:

>Maybe I *should* get a Chipolo.

I bought one a few years ago. I was very unhappy with it. About half
the time when I left home, it would alert me that the keys were left
behind, although they were in the ignition of my car. When I contacted
them about the problem, they wanted me to turn off power saving
features in my phone, so that the app would not be sent to sleep by
Android. I tried to explain to them that the solution is not relevant
at all. If the app had gone to sleep, there would be no alert at all,
while the problem was the opposite. They did not seem to be interested
in fixing the problem.

Also, the app was, at least partially, machine translated, and there
was no way to choose a different language. I contacted them about the
problem. They said they had paid a professional translation service to
do the translation for them, and made no effort to fix the problem.

Then, there's the problem with coverage. As has been mentioned in this
thread already, only the phones that have the Chipolo app installed
(and running) will contribute to locating your tag. In contrast, if
you get a Samsung or Apple tag, all phones of that brand will
contribute, without installing any app at all.

I have since bought a few Samsung tags (Smarttag). They seem to work
well, but I have not yet had actual use for them. One thing to note,
is that only two tags can be actively monitored. This means that if
the tag goes out of Bluetooth range, the phone will notify you. The
remaining tags must be actively tracked through the app. Also, the
remaining tags will not notify you when the battery goes low. So, you
must periodically open the app and check battery levels.

It would be great if all manufacturers would agree on a standard for
Bluetooth trackers, so that all phones would contribute to tracking of
all tags, regardless of who made them. This would, of course, open the
market to competition, which is not desirable if you are a market
leader.
--
RoRo

On 2024-02-02 10:19, Robert Roland wrote:
> On Thu, 01 Feb 2024 10:51:41 -0500, micky <NONONOmisc07@fmguy.com>
> wrote:
>
>> Maybe I *should* get a Chipolo.
>
> I bought one a few years ago.

A tag bought before this spring (any brand) is very very different from
one bought after. It is a totally different system.

Reason is that Google and Apple reached an agreement for a system that
would work with both Android and iPhones, and modified both operating
systems, so that tracking would work by default, without installing
anything.

The new Chipolo is the only device that claims to support this new
system, to my knowledge. There should appear others.

--
Cheers, Carlos.

On Fri, 2 Feb 2024 11:33:35 +0100, "Carlos E.R."
<robin_listas@es.invalid> wrote:

>>> Maybe I *should* get a Chipolo.
>>
>> I bought one a few years ago.
>
>A tag bought before this spring (any brand) is very very different from
>one bought after. It is a totally different system.

My old tag looks the same and has the same name as the new ones.
That's some weird marketing.

>Reason is that Google and Apple reached an agreement for a system that
>would work with both Android and iPhones, and modified both operating
>systems, so that tracking would work by default, without installing
>anything.

Do you have a reference? I have googled a bit, but all I can find is
information about them cooperating against unwanted tracking
(stalking).

>The new Chipolo is the only device that claims to support this new
>system, to my knowledge. There should appear others.

Do you have a reference? I have checked Chipolo's web site. All I can
find are three separate product lines, one for Chipolo's own standard,
one for Apple and one for Android. I am not able to find any product
that supports more than one standard.
--
RoRo

On 2024-02-02 15:16, Robert Roland wrote:
> On Fri, 2 Feb 2024 11:33:35 +0100, "Carlos E.R."
> <robin_listas@es.invalid> wrote:
>
>>>> Maybe I *should* get a Chipolo.
>>>
>>> I bought one a few years ago.
>>
>> A tag bought before this spring (any brand) is very very different from
>> one bought after. It is a totally different system.
>
> My old tag looks the same and has the same name as the new ones.
> That's some weird marketing.
>
>> Reason is that Google and Apple reached an agreement for a system that
>> would work with both Android and iPhones, and modified both operating
>> systems, so that tracking would work by default, without installing
>> anything.
>
> Do you have a reference? I have googled a bit, but all I can find is
> information about them cooperating against unwanted tracking
> (stalking).

Yes, I posted them already in this thread, or the previous thread.
Message-ID: <cg3t8kxirs.ln2@Telcontar.valinor>

Three in Spanish and one in English.

<https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2023/05/apple-google-partner-on-an-industry-specification-to-address-unwanted-tracking/>

UPDATE May 2, 2023
Apple and Google lead initiative for an industry specification to
address unwanted tracking
Companies welcome input from industry participants and advocacy groups
on a draft specification to alert users in the event of suspected
unwanted tracking

<https://techcrunch.com/2023/05/02/apple-and-google-team-up-on-industry-spec-to-make-bluetooth-tracking-devices-like-airtag-safer/>

Apple and Google team up on industry spec to make Bluetooth tracking
devices, like AirTag, safer
Sarah Perez@sarahpereztc / 4:50 PM GMT+2•May 2, 2023

>
>> The new Chipolo is the only device that claims to support this new
>> system, to my knowledge. There should appear others.
>
> Do you have a reference? I have checked Chipolo's web site. All I can
> find are three separate product lines, one for Chipolo's own standard,
> one for Apple and one for Android. I am not able to find any product
> that supports more than one standard.

<https://www.tile.com/blog/does-airtag-work-with-android>

<https://www.androidauthority.com/apple-airtags-alternatives-1222793/>

<https://www.lavanguardia.com/andro4all/compras/apple-airtag-alternativa-android>

<https://www.independent.co.uk/extras/indybest/gadgets-tech/chipolo-tracker-google-find-airtag-b2336981.html>

<https://www.independent.co.uk/extras/indybest/gadgets-tech/chipolo-tracker-google-find-airtag-b2336981.html>

Chipolo just made an AirTag for Android as Google announced its Find My
Device expansion

The Google Find My platform is getting smarter, and Android users
finally have an AirTag alternative
Alex Lee
Thursday 11 May 2023 12:29 BST

It would be the "Chipolo One Point" or the "Chipolo Card Point"

I'm not absolutely sure that these are the devices that work both with
Android and iPhones, but I think they are.

--
Cheers, Carlos.

On Fri, 2 Feb 2024 19:27:21 +0100, "Carlos E.R."
<robin_listas@es.invalid> wrote:
>Chipolo just made an AirTag for Android as Google announced its Find My
>Device expansion

Journalistic sloppyness. They write "AirTag for Android", but what it
really means, is an "AirTag-like device for Android". Apple's AirTag
is not compatible with anything other than Apple products.

>It would be the "Chipolo One Point" or the "Chipolo Card Point"
>
>I'm not absolutely sure that these are the devices that work both with
>Android and iPhones, but I think they are.

Those are the devices that are compatible with Google's tracking
infrastructure. They are not compatible with Apple's nor Chipolo's
native system.

All the links you provided describe the joint initiative to combat
misuse of tracking devices, also known as "tracker stalking". This is
where someone hides a tracker in their victim's clothes, bag, car or
similar, and then use the tracker to keep track of where the victim
moves and at what time.

The fact that the industry is cooperating in combating misuse, does
not mean that normal use of the trackers will be compatible across
infrastructures.

The fact that Google is working on an open standard is exciting news.
--
RoRo

On 2024-02-03 12:41, Robert Roland wrote:
> On Fri, 2 Feb 2024 19:27:21 +0100, "Carlos E.R."
> <robin_listas@es.invalid> wrote:
>> Chipolo just made an AirTag for Android as Google announced its Find My
>> Device expansion
>
> Journalistic sloppyness. They write "AirTag for Android", but what it
> really means, is an "AirTag-like device for Android". Apple's AirTag
> is not compatible with anything other than Apple products.
>
>> It would be the "Chipolo One Point" or the "Chipolo Card Point"
>>
>> I'm not absolutely sure that these are the devices that work both with
>> Android and iPhones, but I think they are.
>
> Those are the devices that are compatible with Google's tracking
> infrastructure. They are not compatible with Apple's nor Chipolo's
> native system.
>
> All the links you provided describe the joint initiative to combat
> misuse of tracking devices, also known as "tracker stalking". This is
> where someone hides a tracker in their victim's clothes, bag, car or
> similar, and then use the tracker to keep track of where the victim
> moves and at what time.
>
> The fact that the industry is cooperating in combating misuse, does
> not mean that normal use of the trackers will be compatible across
> infrastructures.
>
> The fact that Google is working on an open standard is exciting news.

I know that the journals are confusing and sloppy. I did hear, back in
June or July, that the standard existed and that Chipolo was selling one
such on July.

And I do remember trying to get one, late July, to try, and they were
not yet selling.

--
Cheers, Carlos.

Carlos E. R. wrote:

> I don't have a link to the agreement news recently.

Sounds like it's still a promise ... with apple/google not fully
co-operating yet?

In comp.mobile.android, on Fri, 02 Feb 2024 10:19:52 +0100, Robert
Roland <fake@ddress.no> wrote:

>On Thu, 01 Feb 2024 10:51:41 -0500, micky <NONONOmisc07@fmguy.com>
>wrote:
>
>>Maybe I *should* get a Chipolo.
>
>I bought one a few years ago. I was very unhappy with it. About half
>the time when I left home, it would alert me that the keys were left
>behind, although they were in the ignition of my car. When I contacted
>them about the problem, they wanted me to turn off power saving
>features in my phone, so that the app would not be sent to sleep by
>Android. I tried to explain to them that the solution is not relevant
>at all. If the app had gone to sleep, there would be no alert at all,
>while the problem was the opposite. They did not seem to be interested
>in fixing the problem.

1!

>Also, the app was, at least partially, machine translated, and there
>was no way to choose a different language.

Yeah, Chipolo sounds Italian. It's a shame it wouldn't let you switch
to Italian. 2!

>I contacted them about the
>problem. They said they had paid a professional translation service to
>do the translation for them, and made no effort to fix the problem.
>
>Then, there's the problem with coverage. As has been mentioned in this
>thread already, only the phones that have the Chipolo app installed
>(and running) will contribute to locating your tag. In contrast, if
>you get a Samsung or Apple tag, all phones of that brand will
>contribute, without installing any app at all.

3!

>I have since bought a few Samsung tags (Smarttag). They seem to work

My previous phone is Samsung. I took it on the last trip in case I lost
my better phone**, but I'll bet I could just turn it on if I lost my
luggage, and I could just use wifi to periodically check if someone had
found it.

>well, but I have not yet had actual use for them. One thing to note,
>is that only two tags can be actively monitored. This means that if
>the tag goes out of Bluetooth range, the phone will notify you. The
>remaining tags must be actively tracked through the app. Also, the
>remaining tags will not notify you when the battery goes low. So, you
>must periodically open the app and check battery levels.

That's 3 or 4 problems. I'll just use the old method. An airline did
lose my suitcase once. I don't know where it was but they delivered it
to my house the next day, which was better than having to carry it home.
So I think for now, I'll stick with that system.

>It would be great if all manufacturers would agree on a standard for
>Bluetooth trackers, so that all phones would contribute to tracking of
>all tags, regardless of who made them. This would, of course, open the

Yes indeed.

>market to competition, which is not desirable if you are a market
>leader.

**(I did lose my phone on the last trip. They had do-it-yourself kiosks
to get luggage tags, and the claim check was sticky so I stuck it to my
phone. When my suitcase ended up in the slow-to-pickup suitcase office,
I handed the man the claim check, with the phone attached, and he didn't
give the phone back and I was so happy to get my suitcase I didn't
notice. (I went back aobut 10 minutes later and got my phone.))

In comp.mobile.android, on Sat, 03 Feb 2024 11:16:44 -0500, micky
<NONONOmisc07@fmguy.com> wrote:

>
>>I have since bought a few Samsung tags (Smarttag). They seem to work
>
>My previous phone is Samsung. I took it on the last trip in case I lost
>my better phone**, but I'll bet I could just turn it on if I lost my
>luggage, and I could just use wifi to periodically check if someone had
>found it.

No need, it seems for the prior phone.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.glaxxy.smarttagsfinder
offered to install on my Xiaomi as well.

Narrative follows but the upshot is that it's no good. See *** for
better. Read the intervening part at your own risk of boredom.

I hate the new format of the Playstore pages. As of about 4 to 6 months
ago, when they changed it, I can no longer see any info about the app!!
OH, you have to click onthe arrow for About this App. Darn.

It's installed on the Xiaomi and starts with a video showing a girl
calling her boyfriend, and after confirming it's the right number, the 3
dimensional almost satellite view shows he's in a hotel somewhere. She
gets angry and throws the phone on her sofa. Then they show me the same
thing in Spanish. This is for Phone Tracker and GPS Location, in case
you want to know where someone is. it also makes reference to Phone
nUmber Tracker, so maybe that is different.

They second time it pushed some castle battle game.

Finally it says to go into Devloper Mode to "make our app find your tag"
so I guess until I have a tag, I'll not know how well it works.

OH DARN it also says: "Not an official application .Samsung SmartTag is
just an educational application that will help you understand Galaxy
SmartTag and walkthrough it. All The information is from various trusted
sources." That So how did it get 4.1 stars?

Ratings:
Way to much with the adds and with hidden Xs to close or skip them.....i
will stick with tile!

Can't even get to test it because pop up ads and won't let you move
forward useless aviod

I've spent far too long installing this app and trying to connect. No
instructions. Credit card information is always wrong - etc, etc. Wants
a 5* rating right off the bat and your cc info (which never goes
through). Very poor. What a gouge! What a waste of time!

So forget this.

********
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.apps.adm
Find, lock, erase or play a sound on any lost Android device

Written by google so probably okay. :-)
Google Find My Device

Although I don't find yet a mention of tags. Are tags "android
devices"?

But it found my other phone, once I turned it on. It says it's here,
and by golly, there it is!

On 2024-02-03 16:25, Andy Burns wrote:
> Carlos E. R. wrote:
>
>> I don't have a link to the agreement news recently.
>
> Sounds like it's still a promise ... with apple/google not fully
> co-operating yet?

I understand they are cooperating. Android needs cooperation from
iPhones tag location in the USA, and Apple needs cooperation from
Androids in Europe. They need one another.

--
Cheers, Carlos.

Carlos E.R. wrote:

> Andy Burns wrote:
>
>> Sounds like it's still a promise ... with apple/google not fully
>> co-operating yet?
>
> I understand they are cooperating. Android needs cooperation from
> iPhones tag location in the USA, and Apple needs cooperation from
> Androids in Europe. They need one another.

That sounds about right, but when I searched I saw "draft spec released
Dec 2023"

<https://9to5google.com/2023/12/21/android-find-my-device-unwanted-tracker-spec/>

with no fanfare that it was done and working yet, phrases like "apple
still holding back"

<https://9to5google.com/2023/12/04/android-airtag-find-my-device-network-delay/>

On Sat, 03 Feb 2024 11:16:44 -0500, micky <NONONOmisc07@fmguy.com>
wrote:

>Yeah, Chipolo sounds Italian. It's a shame it wouldn't let you switch
>to Italian.

Their headquarters is in Slovenia. They also have a subsidiary in the
USA. I understand that Norwegian is quite an exotic language, but if
they do decide to translate, they should do it right. And, when
notified about a mistake, they should fix it.

If they'd let me switch to English, I'd be fine.

The translation mistakes look like they were translated from English,
but since I don't know any Slovenian at all, I could be completely
wrong.

I just installed the app again. After all those years, the translation
errors are still present.

Further, I am not able to find any "safe area" feature in the app. If
I leave my motorcycle key at home and leave home by car, I don't want
a notification that I left my key behind. With the Samsung tag, that's
no problem.
--
RoRo